Tobacco stick



Gain. 3, W44. u. L. COURSON 2,359,357

TOBACCO STICK Filed Dec, 50, 1945 FIL.C0zz7 a07z IN VEN TOR.

BY 1 n /.r

FO/WVEYS.

Patented Oct. 3, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TOBACGO STICK Ula Lee Oourson, Remerton, Ga. Application December 30, 1943, Serial No. 516,267

Claims.

This invention relates to tobacco sticks, the primary object of the invention being to provide a metallic tobacco stick having clamping fingers formed along the longitudinal edges thereof, the fingers being so constructed that'tobacco leaves to be dried, may be firmly clamped thereby to insure the leaves being held in proper spaced relation with respect to each other, for permitting a circulation of air around the leaves, and consequently appreciably decreasing the time required for drying and curing the leaves.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tobacco stick wherein the clamping fingers may be readily moved to release the tobacco leaves, without damage to the tobacco leaves.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a tobacco stick embodying a plurality of clamps that are adapted to maintain clamping relation with the leaves, when the stems shrink during the drying and curing process.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel details of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter more fully described and pointed out in the claims, it being understood that changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed.

Referring to the drawing Figure l is a plan view of a tobacco stick constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view thereof.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a segmental plan view of a modified form of the invention.

Figure 6 is a fragmental side elevational view of the form of the invention as shown by Fig. 5.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the tobacco stick embodies a length of sheet metal material cut to the proper length, and rolled longitudinally, to provide substantially tubular members 5 at the ends thereof, providing handles. The main or body portion of the stick, indicated by the reference character 6, and which comprises the length of material between the handles 5, is formed with a longitudinal depression 1. This longitudinal depression lends durability and strength to the stick, to insure against the stick bending under the weight of the leaves supported thereon.

The side edges of the body portion extend downwardly at 8 and are formed with slits, which extend inwardly from the edge, at oblique angles with respect to the edge of the stick. The portions of the side edges of the stick which are separated from the stick by the slits, are bent laterally as at 9 providing a plurality of substantially wide needles or fingers, on which the tobacco stems may be threaded in supporting the leaves. In order'to facilitate the positioning of the leaves on the needles or fingers 9, the free ends thereof are cut to provide fiat sided, sharp pointed ends.

Lines of openings II] are formed in the main portion of the stick, at points adjacent to the inner ends of the needles or fingers 9, and these openings permit of a circulation of warm air upwardly through the stick, to contact with the stems of the leaves to promote the drying operation of the stems.

It might be further stated that these fingers or needles 9 are inclined upwardly toward their outer ends, to prevent the leaves from sliding from the fingers or needles 9.

A hanger indicated by the reference character I l is provided intermediate the ends of the stick, so that the stick may be readily positioned over a hook or other supporting means.

In the form of the invention as shown by Fig. 5 of the drawing, the body portion is indicated by the reference character I2, In this form of the invention, ventilating openings I3 are provided to permit warm air to pass upwardly through the stick and circulate around the stems of the tobacco leaves held between the clamping fingers.

The clamping fingers in this form of the in-.

vention are formed by providing the slits along the edges of the sides of the bod portion, the portions of the material separated by the slits, constituting clamping fingers.

These fingers are bent outwardly as at M and rearwardly and outwardly as at l5, the fingers being identical in construction and so arranged that a clamping action will take place between adjacent fingers, when the leaves are forced therebetween. Due to this construction, it will be seen that as the leaves dry, during the curing process, the fingers will move and be maintained in clamping relation, when the thickness of the leaves is decreased, owing to dehydration.

From the foregoing it will be seen that due to the construction shown and described, I have provided a metallic tobacco stick, which will be exceptionally strong and durable, and one wherein integral clamping fingers are provided for clamping the leaves to the stick, with assurance tion having a plurality of openings through which warm air circulates.

2. A tobacco stick comprising a body portion constructed of sheet metal material, said body portion having a centra1 longitudinal depressed portion, the body portion being formed with slits extending inwardly from the side edges thereof, 7

providing laterally and rearwardly extended fingers, said fingers overlying each other and being disposed in clamping relation with respect to-each other whereby tobacco leaves may be clamped therebetween, and said body portion having a plurality-of openings through which warm air circulates.

3. A stobacco stick comprising a body portion constructed of 7 sheet metal, said body portion having slits extending inwardly from the side edges thereof providing a plurality of clamping fingers, said fingers being extended laterally and rearwardly, the adjacent fingers overlying each other in clamping relation, and the free ends of said fingers being curved outwardly.

4. A tobacco stick comprising a body portion constructed of sheet metal material, said body portion having slits extended inwardly from the edges thereof, said slits being disposed at oblique angles with respect to the edges of the body portion, providing a plurality of laterally and rearwardly extended clamping fingers, adjacent fingers overlying each other, and between which tobacco leaves are clamped, and said body portion having a plurality of openings through which air circulates.

5., A tobacco stick comprising a body portion constructed of sheet metal material, said body portion having a central longitudinal depressed portion, theends of said body portion being formed into tubular handles, the edges of the body portion 20 -.being formed with slits providing a plurality of outwardly and rearwardly extended grippingiirn gers adapted to grip tobacco stems therebetween, I

said body portion having a plurality of openings through which-air circulates, and a hanger disposed intermediate the ends of the body portion whereby the tobacco stick may be positioned over a support.

' ULA LEE COURSON." 

